We intend to add enhanced cabin solutions to our aircraft and offer business class and VIP service offerings in the future. The business is committed to sustainable aviation and aligned with the UK JetZero strategy. As well as serving the UK market, Ascend Airways shall operate its worldwide leverage of the UK’s trade agreements to provide services to customers overseas.
About Ascend Airways
Ascend Airways is part of Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI provider. The business was established to provide locally based aircraft and crew to meet the requirements of UK-based airlines, tour operators, charter brokers, government departments, and NGOs.
We will offer high-quality, tailored lease and charter solutions to our customers.
Our values
Safety
We are regulated by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority and a member of the Flight Safety Committee. We have a highly experienced team who are committed to proactively managing risks associated with our business and ensuring the safe operation of our aircraft. We are committed to continuous improvement.
Reliability
We want a reputation for reliability. We’re focused on using data and technology, such as Boeing’s real-time Aircraft Health Monitoring to continuously improve reliability.
Trustworthy
We want a reputation for service delivery. We want our customers to know they can trust us to carry their customers with care and to deliver on our commitments. We want all our team to be approachable and knowledgeable to assist when required.
ESG
By operating the latest technology we are reducing emissions by 18% and reducing noise by 50%. We are supporting organisations to develop solutions too. We are proud the UK is leading and will continue to support efforts to reduce aviation’s impact on the environment. We are also informing customers about emissions resulting from their operations. We aim to avoid or minimise unnecessary positioning flights by making information available to inform decisions about where they fly from. You can see our Sustainability policy here.
Leadership
Alastair joined Avia Solutions Group in July 2023 and was tasked with creating a new ACMI and charter airline in the UK as well as supporting the Group’s growth overseas. Alastair spent 9 years at Titan Airways, leading business restructuring during the pandemic with record results in 2022. Alastair has worked with some of the leading airlines and companies in the world, delivering some of the UK’s most high-profile aviation contracts, such as repatriations following the failure of Thomas Cook and Monarch Airlines, as well as providing a new aircraft on lease to the Prime Minister’s office.
Paul has 20 years of experience managing Boeing 737 maintenance, including classic and new-generation aircraft. Paul was previously Technical Director at Titan Airways and Sterling Airlines, and Maintenance Manager at Bmibay, as well as managed aircraft delivery and return for aircraft leasing companies.
John joined Ascend Airways in Q1 2025 as Director of Flight Operations (DFO) from BA EuroFlyer. In his previous role he was the DFO and a member of the leadership team from the airline’s startup position, right through to its current status operating 23 aircraft.
Starting his airline career as a First Officer at BMI, John then spent 10 years at Qatar Airways, where he became a Captain and Type Rating Instructor. Following a series of management roles, John took up the position of Senior Manager ― Airbus, where he was responsible for all Airbus operations at Qatar Airways. Three years as Head of Flight Operations at Wizz Air UK then followed, before joining British Airways.
Augustinas joined Ascend Airways from aircraft maintenance and repair organisation, JETMS. Augustinas has a master’s degree in management and economics and an MBA from Vilnius University.
Pamela is MCIPD qualified – Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Pam joined from CargoLogicAir where she was also Head of HR. Before CargoLogic, Pam was Deputy HR Director at Vogla-Dnepr Group, a UK-based cargo airline, where she spent 11 years working with Human Resources.
Glen has more than 20 years of experience in aviation running his own UK Air Operating Certificate and training organization, Synergy Aviation, while also flying as a Captain. Glen has stayed with the business following the acquisition and will fly as a First Officer and support the management team.
Mike is a seasoned aviation professional with over 20 years of experience in the regulated aerospace sector. He joined the Ascend Airways team in July 2024 from a bustling UK-based cargo airline. Throughout his career, Mike has held numerous Nominated Person (NP) roles, focusing on safety and compliance across Air Operations, Air Traffic Management, Design, Production, Continuing Airworthiness, and Maintenance organizations, for both manned and unmanned aviation.
Ross has more than 20 years’ experience in airline operations. Ross joined Ascend Airways after setting up Flybe’s operations control team from scratch in 2021. Ross previously acted as Nominated Person Ground Operations at UK charter operator RVL Aviation and prior to that worked for Titan Airways and TUI for 8 and 12 years respectively, in supervisory and duty manager roles.
Tony is an experienced aviation executive having joined Ascend from AirTanker, a consortium of leading aerospace and defence specialists, providing services to governments and airlines, where he was Director of Civil Business and part of the Executive Committee. Prior to AirTanker, Tony spent 14 years with Atlas Air, a leading ACMI airline, as VP of Sales & Marketing.
Spencer is an experienced post holder and trainer joining from L3Harris. Spencer has 20 years of experience operating the B737; he is a Boeing 737 qualified Type Rated Instructor and Examiner with base training approval. Spencer has previously held the Head of Training / Nominated Person Crew Training position at Texel Air and Maleth-Aero and was previously a TRI/TRE at Jet2.com.
Lloyd joined Ascend Airways as a freelance Training Instructor in early 2024 and took up an interim position as Head of Cabin Services in December 2024, before moving permanently into the role in March 2025.
His aviation career began in Jersey, back in 1996 with a small regional operator that later became Flybe. Lloyd left the island in 1999 and held flying roles with a number of then leading ACMI operators including Air Atlanta Icelandic, British World Airlines, and Titan Airways. He joined bmi British Midland in 2004 where he quickly moved into various Cabin Crew Management roles before taking Cabin Services Leadership roles with Arik Air (Lagos, Nigeria), Thomas Cook Airlines UK and latterly, British Airways.
Yasmine has worked in the aviation industry for 25 years and spent the past 10 years as Head of Training. -Yasmine has commercial airline and private jet experience having worked for airlines and managing service on private jets for ultra-high net-worth individuals.
Mark is an experienced pilot and a highly qualified aviation professional specializing in compliance, safety management systems and airline startups. Mark is a Boeing 737-800 and MAX Type Rated Instructor and Examiner with base training approval, as well as being a qualified auditor and CRM instructor.
Part of 
Avia Solutions Group is the world’s largest ACMI provider, with a fleet of 221 aircraft.
The group also provides a range of aviation services including, MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), pilot and crew training, ground handling, as well as a variety of associated services. Supported by 14,000 highly skilled aviation professionals, the group operates worldwide.
14,000+
staff across 6 continents
220+
aircraft worldwide
17
Business lines, ACMI, MRO, and GH